27 September 2015

Tapas for Days

Today we went to yet another food market, Mercado San Ildefonso. We went by it one day, when walking along the Calle de Fuencarral, and today we wanted to go inside to check out, only to leave amazed. We got off at the Tribunal metro stop (line 10), near the Gran Vía, and walked in. Right at the entrance, there is the famous charcuterie bocadillo that the Spaniards love so much:jamón sandwiches. Which, by the way, are the best you'll ever taste. Soft bread, high quality smoked ham for only €2,95. You won't be stoping at the first one. Walking a little bit further, you'll see a mojito stand, a taco, hamburger and hotdog stands and, at the end, a drinks bar.

Don't be mistaken for that small corridor, go up the stairs and discover a whole lot more tapas options. From delicious french crepes, beef tartar, beef skewers, octopus carpaccio, tartines, paellas, tortillas, oysters and so much more!

After 2 rounds to that small market, I still hadn't made my mind about what was going to be my tapa for the day, but after a lot of pressure I went to the frenchest thing I found: cheese tartines! And what a great choice. These tartines (toasts with some kind of topping) were amazing! Mine were with melting brie and chèvre cheese topped with raspberry jam and flamed suger, respectively, and one other with fresh mozzarella cheese and pesto. Divine really. And what best to go with this delicacy? WINE!! And there is a whole stand dedicated to that drink of gods, thankfully.

It was such a nice lunch break. It was nice to discover a smaller version of the Mercado de San Miguel, but with more spaces to seat down and enjoy the meal without being elbowed out of the way.